Valley Water Board Chair Gary Kremen statement on the State Water Project January 2022 water allocation

We're pleased to see an increase in our allocation from the State Water Project from 0% to 15%, which would provide Valley Water with 15,000 acre-feet of imported water in 2022.

I would like to thank the Department of Water Resources for increasing the allotment and considering the basic water needs of communities across California.

However, our region’s winter rollercoaster continues. Following a very wet December, precipitation totals so far in January are lacking. We are still in a severe drought.

Due to the existing drought emergency, Valley Water is supporting Santa Clara County’s water supply and groundwater basins by withdrawing previously banked water supplies, purchasing emergency water from our partners, and aggressively increasing conservation.

Thank you to everyone in Santa Clara County for helping us meet our goal of a 15% reduction in water use in October and November. We ask you to continue to do your part. Residents, businesses and farms can take advantage of Valley Water’s robust conservation programs by visiting watersavings.org.

Climate change can mean longer and more severe droughts. Conservation and investments in infrastructure and technology will help ensure there is enough safe, clean water for all our communities. One solution we must embrace is increasing our county’s use of recycled and purified water, a drought-proof and locally-controlled water source.

My fellow Board Members and I will continue to take decisive actions now to protect our water supplies and groundwater basins to ensure everyone in Santa Clara County has safe, clean water.